Council considers online alternatives to Loot for Lerwick event amid pandemic

A major fundraiser for Lerwick organisations could seek a different way to operate amid the Covid-19 pandemic, community leaders said. 

Loot for Lerwick has been held over recent years at Isleburgh Community Hall – but questions have been raised about its feasibility this year’s event, which was due to take place in October. 

Previously, charities and organisations have manned stalls at the centre, with the public invited to wander around, talk to the stall-holders and decide which should get a share of £5,000. 

Lerwick Community Council, which organises the event, discussed how this year’s outing could go ahead, during its latest meeting last night (Monday). 

Chairman Jim Anderson said that while previous years had been “quite successful and relatively well attended”, it was probably going to be “very difficult” to get folk to attend this year.

“So really, the question is, does anyone have ideas or suggestions to see how we could best distribute the funding this year?” he asked. 

Gary Robinson said it would be a “shame” not to do it – and suggested an online alternatie for the event, possibly via Facebook Live. 

He added, however, that the online event was just his “initial thoughts” and any event would need to “a lot of thought to go into it”.

While there was support for the online event, some members also questioned how inclusive it would be for. those without access to Facebook. 

Stewart Hay suggested Lerwick and the challenges it faced could be very different in the coming weeks and months. 

“But when we meet come September it might be clear that there are ways in which we can  assist,” he added.

“Seed fund, promote encourage people with good ideas to rebuild and reform Lerwick that re not clear to us now,

“We are in a sense still partly in the pandemic; we’re going to be in it for a while.

“The impact socially and  economically will become clear – there might well be a role for us to play.”

LCC had received £3,000 of community development funding, which it intends to distribute through the event, together with £2,000 of its own funding. 

Members will discuss the event again at its next meeting. 

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